Julio Borbon, 2010 Fantasy Sleeper
January 14, 2010
Category: 2010 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper
Julio Borbon can steal 40-plus bases for your 2010 fantasy baseball team. I really shouldn’t even have to say more. And a lot of you probably won’t even read what else I write, especially the readers that found this because they searched Google for “Borbon fantasy” after hallucinations from drinking too much Wild Turkey. Alas, I shall continue. Last year, Julio Borbon hit .312 in 157 ABs. As I tell the ladies, that seems like a small sample size but it’s not. He should be in the .300 range in 2010. Next, he stole 19 bases in more or less two months of full duty. So 40 bases really isn’t that much of a long shot. Emilio Bonifacio’s April 2009 comes to mind when I think of Borbon. Borbon might steal 10 bases in April alone and be owned in all but the shallowest of ESPN leagues that are already abandoned. (Don’t worry, Bonifacio’s May through September doesn’t come to mind.) So Borbon’s SAGNOF!, got it. But why is Julio Borbon a 2010 fantasy baseball sleeper?
Ellsbury, who’s being drafted around the 3rd round, is a 10 homer, 50 steal threat. (Yes, he stole 70 bases last year, but we shouldn’t count on 70 bases from anyone.) Borbon hit 4 homers in 46 games last year. His minor league ground ball and fly ball rates were on par with his short time in the majors. So he can get 8-10 homers next year. As far as I’m concerned, that’s not exactly a termite-infested limb considering his home park. If he hits 12 homers, I wouldn’t be shocked. (At 15 homers, I’d consider notifying Snooki that Borbon might be a juice head. Or sipping from the Ron Ron Juice.) So a guy who can go 10/40 and is being drafted in the final rounds versus a 10/50 guy who’s going in the 3rd round? Done, I’m getting drunk on Borbon.
January 14th, 2010 at 11:10 am
The only thing better than an afternoon sleeper post to break up the monotony is a sleeper post with Jersey Shore references. I know it’s an insult to my intelligence, my heritage, and a slew of other things, but I just can’t help but love it for the trainwreck factor.
For those who aren’t sure what the Ron Ron Juice is: http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/464065/ron-ron-juice.jhtml
January 14th, 2010 at 11:11 am
I had already switched off R.Davis to Borbon, having see him go round 20+. Last night Big-O nabbed him in the 15th in the Razzballers mock!
Expect he’ll go RD12 next mock?
January 14th, 2010 at 11:14 am
I’m lazy. Does he strikeout often?
January 14th, 2010 at 11:17 am
I like. Sounds like a 2009 Michael Bourn type of fellow, except more upside.
January 14th, 2010 at 11:24 am
is it just me or does julio burbon just sound too much like emilio bonifacio?
@sean: Nice link!
@Simply Fred: Ha… Probably
@cws05nuts: Eh, not terrible. Probaly about 75 times in 500 ABs.
@Ian: Bit more power, yeah.
@Jo: He’s much better.
January 14th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
@Grey: I’ve foud the guy that can help you get up to two posts a day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_flgoDc9igs
January 14th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Grey, what would be your approximate dollar value for Borbon be in a 14 team mixed? I own him at 16 (bid price for a late season pick up) and have not considered keeping him at that price, but unless a trade offer comes in for him I was going to target him again when the auction came around as my fifth outfielder. Funnily enough, I also have Ellsbury at 7.
@Steve: If he’d only use more than one finger at a time.
@Mann of Sandd: $16 is way too much. He’s a $7 and under player.
January 14th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
@Grey:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_monkey_theorem
January 14th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Grey speaking of steals what’s your take on mccuttchen is he worth his current adp?
January 14th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Hey there Grey! Been quitely enjoying your terrific off-season posts; thanks. Does LaRoche to the D-Backs merit some consideration as one of your 25 top 20 first basemen? Happy 2010.
@Steve: Be cool if a monkey wrote that.
@Mikey boy324: Yeah, I like McCutchen.
@zombie: Cool, glad you’re here. I threw LaRoche into the Allen blurb with LaRoche’s projections. That’s about where I’d consider him. He’s really not that exciting though.
January 14th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
@Grey: Indeed.
It has since dawned on me that your mention of typing monkeys in the previous post was not (ahem) random.
Anyway, here’s my last word on the subject:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNNy3opa7Wc
@Steve: Hehe
January 14th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
I’m drinking the Borbon. “Borbon Fantasy” wasn’t my induced google; it was “Neftali Starter”.
January 14th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
You think Borbon will outproduce Fowler this year?
@GasTheObese: Very possible.
January 14th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
@Steve:
you really have to get the mlb channel .
occupy your time .
January 14th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
@big o: Hah! I’m at work, believe it or not.
January 14th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Interesting….
I decided that I’m going to draft no more than 5 OF this season, and the two extras are usually a toss up between Maybin, Coghlan, Reimold and Borbon.
Grey do you think Coghlan will outperform Reimold this year? It’s hard to ignore that onslaught in the 2nd half…
January 14th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
So Borbon > Desmond Jennings?
But what if Jennings breaks camp?
January 14th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Safe to drink after the 15th round!
http://i48.tinypic.com/veowg6.jpg
@Eddy: Reimold over Coghlan.
@brett: Borbon over Desmond.
@GasTheObese: That’s awesome!
January 14th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
@GasTheObese: Ha! I hope you’re at work too.
January 14th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Valverde to the the Tigers 2 yrs 14 million with an option for a third.
Does this kill Perry’s keeper value? I have him at $3 with a $305 cap next year with Minors eligibility.
January 14th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
@brett: Saw you asked during last night’s mock about C. Davis’ eligibility at 3B. For ESPN (who runs RCL Commentors leagues) I don’t think he qualifies. The way I read their rules, they require 20 games at the position the previous year, which Davis doesn’t have.
@Charlie: Tyler Perry?… Oh, Ryan! Yeah, doesn’t help him or Zumaya. Valverde will be the closer. I wouldn’t wait around for Perry unless your keepers aren’t great.
January 14th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
@Grey: Borbon over Jennings? Heck, Borbon in RD9 next!
January 14th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Grey! Good to be back on Razzball. Took the season off for Football (which I hate by the way… it’s all luck). Now back to getting ready for baseball. I dont care so much about guys like borbon. In OPS and OBP SLG % leagues those guys tend to kill you when the are not slapping singles to first. In the perfect world, I would draft all the power steals combo guys and avoid the Sagnof losers.
January 14th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
@Simply Fred: Thanks Fred; that’s good to know. I’m more concerned about Yahoo, where i think he’s eligible based on his 10 games started at third. Might make all the difference for me.
@Anthony Gonzalez: Welcome back!
January 14th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
@brett: Reason(s) you prefer roto via Yahoo vs ESPN???
January 14th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
Biggest thing relating to his potential playing time coming out of ST could be his CF defense. Profiles as an above-average defender with a bad arm, but he wasn’t quite there last year, when they stuck him in LF.
They’re committed to putting him out there at CF on Opening Day, and probably will give him opportunities to hit against lefties (unlike last season). As long as his defense is good and he doesn’t completely suck, I think he’s out there all season.
January 14th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
@Charlie:
faaackkkk
I depended on a Zumaya pick-up for my final closer in round 21 and on. @Grey:
Grey, if you could choose one of each, who would it be:
1 OF: J-Upside, Werth, Adam Lind
2 OF:Beltran, C.Lee, Nelson Cruz, Shin-soo Choo
3 OF: Torii Hunter, Ibanez, Quentin, Hunter Pence
January 14th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
@ Grey…..In the CDM Points league , Quentin is listed at 1950. I’m thinking Borbon at 1020 and Kyle Blanks at 1040. For 100 bucks more than Q, you can have 30 HRs and 50 SB. To find a guy with those stats you’d have ot go back to Canseco at the height of his roid usage. And he sure as hell wouldnt have been priced at 2060. As a comparison Pujols goes for 3890.
@“bob”: Yeah, hopefully they stick with him.
@Eddy: Upside, Cruz and T. Hunter.
January 14th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
@Simply Fred: Just familiarity. I think when i started playing (2003ish) Yahoo was the only site offering free roto and H2H leagues. (Either that or i wasn’t aware of ESPN’s free service). So other than a few pay leagues and custom leagues, i’ve only ever dealt with Yahoo. They do a good job and i’ve had no incentive to switch.
So that’s not to say that ESPN is inferior, it’s just what i’m comfortable with. I’m willing to bet the exact opposite hold true for other people.
@BEASTDOG: Yeah, but that is obviously two guys rather than one.
January 14th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Who do you like better in a 12 team keeper: Borbon or Johnny Cueto? I have decent pitching depth (Carpenter, Cliff Lee, Peavy, Brett Anderson, Gavin Floyd and Scott Baker) and could use Borbon’s speed. Which is more likely, Cueto has a third year breakout or Dusty personally drives the kid over to see Dr. Freeze in July?
January 14th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
@brett:
I think the “ESPN vs Yahoo” war has more to do with the default positions (espn’s CI, MI, 5 OF) rather than any problems with site reputation. I haven’t actually ran a pay league in espn, but I’m willing to bet you can make the exact same roster/scoring parameters in either league. Basically just hooples fighting over stupid. I think the default roster in ESPN (with the expanded default hitting roster) is more challenging, since every yahoo league I’ve been in has been flaked by the smart kids who draft beast offense then draft pitching from the 5 required to the bottom of the bench.
@Herb Bourbon: Herb! How ya been? I like Cueto this year, but with that depth I’d go with Borbon.
January 14th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
@brett: @GasTheObese: Thanks guys. Just trying to figure which one to target. Am leaning toward ESPN since I am familiar with the format (same as RCL).
January 14th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
steve’s annoyance at mr baseball’s
re-phrasing of a previously posted question ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmannAYiwh0
January 14th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
@big o: No idea what you’re talking about, but two charatcters from two GREAT tv shows right there.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
@Steve:
i thought he said “grey’s borbon” .
January 14th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
@GasTheObese: Ah, i thought that might be the case. I almost mentioned that i prefer Yahoo’s default positions, but again that’s only because i’m used to them. In a perfect world I think i’d like some sort of compromise between the two. I like the CI and MI spots but I hate the idea of two catchers, and five OF spots and a Util seems a bit excessive.
On the other hand, I agree with you that the larger format is more challenging, and i also think it’s more rewarding to people who do their homework and know how to properly bargain hunt at the end of a draft.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
@brett: @GasTheObese: Are two catchers the default at ESPN?
We used ESPN for the RCL leagues last year and we only used one catcher. Did have 5 OF and MI/CI though.
But I think GTO is probably right – you can have whatever roster set-up you like at either.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
@brett: Not sure what the 2C reference is to. Standard ESPN is:
Batters (13): C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, OF, OF, OF, OF, 2B/SS, 1B/3B, UTIL
Pitchers (9): P, P, P, P, P, P, P, P, P
Bench (3): BE, BE, BE
Disabled List (1): DL
January 14th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
2 catchers aren’t default on espn, just on mdc standard 5×5 drafts, where I’m guessing you made that assumption. I personally hold 2 catcher leagues in the same esteem as 2 qb leagues in football, which is that they’re unnatural and condemned biblically.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
@GasTheObese: Amen.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Alright, my apologies on that one. I just assumed that a league with a bunch of extra starting spots (CI, MI, 5OF) would also have two catchers. I’m glad that’s not the case. Thanks for clarifying.
January 14th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Yeah Grey, that’s one problem that it burns 2 roster spots. But you need some cheapies to make the cap and these are 2 high upside guys in their respective cats. Already had Borbon penciled in so dumping Q for Blanks saves 900K to spend elsewhere. What I’ve read about Blanks he could, down the road , be the next Dunn. K’s included. Or he could be the new Tony Clark. Playing at Petco doesn’t help, but at 6’6 285 does it really matter?
January 14th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
@Grey: howd u rank: borbon, nyjer morgan, rajai davis – which rds would u take one?
do you see everth cabrera as a similar sagnof sleeper as those guys esp for thin SS?
whats the deal with carlos gomez in milw? is he starting CF/leadoff?
January 14th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
the real sleeper is Dexter Fowler, mark my words
January 14th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Late waiver wire pickups Borbon and Drew Stubbs saved my teams from embarrassment last year. I shall be forever grateful to them.
@BEASTDOG: Yeah, I agree.
@matthole: Outfielders will be ranked shortly. Everth is a great SAGNOF candidate at SS. Gomez is another candidate, but his bat is a flippin’ mess. Obviously he has speed to burn.
January 14th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Hey Grey, if you could keep either Bourbon, Andrew Bailey, or Dexter Fowler for the next two seasons, who would you keep and why? Also, pick JUpton, Mauer or Tulo for the next three seasons. Upside versus insanely good catcher, versus 30/20 SS with a .290 average. This is a 14-team league that starts two catchers, 5 OFs, CI, MI. Thanks!
@Bourbon Baileys and Cream: Fowler, bit more seasoned and has higher upside than Borbon. Upton — upside, age and health.
January 14th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
@matthole: Hey, I’ve been reviewing last night’s mock. I have you down for dead last in AVG, with a big plus in SB. If you can drop one (or two?) of your speedsters with a poor AVG, and replace with anybody with strong AVG, I think it would raise your overall ranking (and position you better for the season). Let me know if I am being too nosy.
January 14th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
@matthole: BTW: a real strong team!
January 14th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
@big o: Ks is the category you can make the biggest move. A few more last night would have secured #2 overall.
January 14th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Back from football, too. As i have pretty decent OF in
my keeper league (braun, kemp, manny, cruz) i am more intersted in what you think about what borbon means for elvis andrus value? I mean, the rangers still have hamilton, cruz and murphy and if borbon had a bad start, this could mean andrus will lead off?
January 14th, 2010 at 11:42 pm
@Simply Fred:
certainly not going to screw with my bullpen.
SP Jeff Niemann TB R10 P9
SP Wandy Rodriguez HOU R11 P4
SP Rich Harden TEX R13 P4
SP Brett Anderson OAK R14 P9
SP Francisco Liriano MIN R18 P9
RP Jonathan Papelbon BOS R6 P9
RP Jonathan Broxton LA R7 P4
RP Leo Nunez FLA R16 P9
realize that my starting staff needs improvement , which is why i drafted extra bats and speed .
if something doesn’t pop-up soon , i have some trade options .
in a typical 12-teamer , i’ll just probably drop one or 2 of my least productive bench players , and go with the hot hand ,
barring injuries , of course .
January 15th, 2010 at 12:17 am
Is there a forum thread on this site where people can comment on each other’s mock drafts? I just did my very first one of the season and I’d like some feedback… Don’t know if this comment section is the right place…
January 15th, 2010 at 12:23 am
@DrEasy: Right here:
http://razzball.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=20
January 15th, 2010 at 12:36 am
@Steve: Cool, thanks!
@Bob from germany: It would mean he’d move up the order, sure.